MMR vaccine

MMR is a safe and effective combined vaccine that protects against 3 separate illnesses – measles, mumps and rubella (German measles) – in a single injection. The full course of MMR vaccination requires 2 doses.

MMR vaccine for babies and pre-schoolers

The MMR vaccine is given on the NHS as a single injection to babies as part of their routine vaccination schedule, usually within a month of their first birthday.

They'll then have a second injection of the vaccine before starting school, usually at 3 years and 4 months.

The MMR vaccine can sometimes be given to babies from 6 months of age if they may have been exposed to the measles virus, or during a measles outbreak.

Babies under 6 months old are not routinely given the MMR vaccine.

This is because the antibodies to measles, mumps and rubella passed from mother to baby at the time of birth are retained and can work against the vaccine, meaning that the vaccine is not usually effective.

These maternal antibodies decline with age and are almost all gone by the time MMR is normally given – around the age of 1 year.

MMR vaccination is recommended for 6- to 9-month-old babies if they're at high risk of becoming infected in certain circumstances, such as during a measles outbreak.

But these children may not have enough protection from this early dose, so they'll still need the standard MMR doses at 12 to 13 months and 40 months of age.

The MMR vaccine is given as a single injection into the muscle of the thigh or upper arm.

Single measles, mumps and rubella vaccines

Single vaccines are not available on the NHS in the UK because there's a risk that fewer children would receive all the necessary injections, increasing the levels of measles, mumps and rubella in the country.

The delay in having 6 separate injections would also put more children at risk of developing the conditions, as well as increasing the amount of work and inconvenience for parents and those administering the vaccines.

Side effects of the MMR vaccine

As there are 3 separate vaccines within a single injection, different side effects can occur at different times.

The side effects of the MMR vaccine are usually mild. It's important to remember that they're milder than the potential complications of measles, mumps and rubella.

Side effects include:

developing a mild form of measles that lasts for 2 to 3 days (this is not infectious)

developing a mild form of mumps that lasts for a day or two (this is not infectious)

In rare cases, a small rash of bruise-like spots may appear a few weeks after the injection.

See your GP if you notice this kind of rash, or if you have any concerns about your child's symptoms after having the MMR jab.